Day: August 3, 2022

MPUMALANGA – The Hawks Provincial Head, Major General Zodwa Mokoena welcome the sentence of one of the drug dealer syndicates. She hailed the investigation team for commendable efforts and further applauded the collaboration with our counterparts in ensuring that criminals are brought to book and remain in custody.

The acclamation followed the arrest of a criminal group during ‘Dream on’ project at Bethal in Mpumalanga between June 2021 and July 2022 respectively. They appeared before the Bethal Regional Court on Tuesday, 2 August 2022 for dealing in drugs.

Chibuzo Chicozie ‘Don’ Ogbunuku (36) entered a plea agreement with the State and he was sentenced to eight years direct imprisonment collectively for dealing in drugs, conspiracy to commit an offence, corruption, escaping from custody, illegal entry, departing or remaining in the country.

The case against Okereke Valentine Okwudiri (36), Kadima Remy (30), Male Mokoko (34), Mukembani Justin Kasindo (35), Rudi Angel Kishuka (25), Bongiwe Malingela (42), David Enewere (35) and Hassanda Kaluwe (32) was postponed to 30 August 2022 for legal representative.

Mbusho Janvier Kikaranga (35) who appeared in absentia was remanded to 15 August 2022 for bail application.

Source: South African Police Service

Controlling and eliminating malaria remains critical for the health of southern Africa and cross-border partnership is key to achieving this goal.

This was highlighted at the 7th Malaria Research Conference hosted by the South African Medical Research Council Malaria Research Group (MRG) and the Department of Health.

This year’s gathering, currently underway, focuses mainly on the progress that has been made towards achieving the department’s goal of eliminating malaria by 2025, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), some countries, including South Africa, have now embarked on a malaria elimination agenda since transmission has drastically reduced, especially in the southern African region. Of the 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, eight are targeting elimination by 2030.

In addition, cross-border malaria, one of the conference’s thematic areas, poses a serious threat to the country’s elimination efforts.

According to the SAMRC, this is the reason cross-border collaboration is vital to contribute to a greater body of knowledge and research.

The parastatal medical research organisation also seeks to improve the health status and quality of life of people living in malaria-endemic areas by facilitating high-quality scientific research and innovative practices that inform the development of policy, health services, health promotion and capacity development.

The SAMRC Office of Malaria Research Director, Professor Rajendra Maharaj, said: “Researchers and control staff need to work together to achieve elimination since translational research is the key to overcoming challenges amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic”.

In partnership with the department, the MRG has since developed a prioritised research agenda to foster networking and collaboration among different role players to synergise efforts in malaria research towards a common goal.

Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, emphasised South Africa’s goal to eliminate the life-threatening disease by 2025.

He believes that innovative technologies and relevant research are required to guide implementation policies.

Phaahla said neighbouring countries like eSwatini and Mozambique are working towards malaria elimination. However, he stated that success can only be attained through joint concerted efforts from all partners and governments.

“Malaria is not country-specific, the mosquito knows no borders, nor does it respect any specific air space. Therefore, regional, and cross-border collaborations and partnerships are vital to elimination,” said the Minister.

Phaahla believes that all these tools and technologies bear fruit if communities in the endemic provinces and regions do not see the need for them, adding that more awareness is needed in communities.

“Advocacy and awareness campaigns within communities will help people understand the continued need for malaria control activities and interventions.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

DUTYWA – The Amathole Acting District Commissioner Brigadier Ngangema Xakavu welcomed the sentencing of Aviwe Siwundla and Thembelani Thobelani Xhanywa both aged 27 by the Butterworth Regional Magistrate Court on Monday, 1 August 2022. The two were each sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping a 36-year-old woman.

The sentencing comes after these two men raped the victim on the night of Monday, 7 August 2017. The accused men came across the woman when she was coming from Nqabarha Village, Dutywa. They grabbed and strangled her forcing her to go to a nearby abandoned house where they both raped her.

A case of rape was opened at Dutywa police station and the case was handed over to Butterworth Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for investigation, the pair was found guilty and sentenced.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – The police are investigating a case of corruption as well as an additional charge of attempted murder. A suspect, aged 45, who is a member of the police is said to have engaged in a shootout with other SAPS members from National Anti-Corruption and Intervention Unit in Highveld Park near Witbank. The incident is said to have occurred in the evening of 02 August 2022.

According to the information, the shooting spiral from an incident in which the said member, employed by SAPS as a Warrant Officer, allegedly solicited a bribe of R 500,000 from a member of the public. It is then said that an undercover operation was set up by the alluded Unit. At around 22:25, the member who is attached to Organized Crime at Head Office called the complainant and demanded cash for clinching a deal in the coal mine around Witbank area. It is further said that the cash was dropped at a particular house. Thereafter, the member is said to have collected the cash and left in a white Nissan NP300 bakkie.

Members that were on the covert operation, tried to stop the vehicle driven by the suspect however, the man responded by firing shots at the members who also returned fire. The suspect was reportedly shot and sustained injuries. He was then arrested and charged accordingly but taken to hospital where he is under police guard. The police managed to also recover undisclosed amount of cash at the scene.

The suspect is expected to appear at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court soon facing the said charges.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela applauded members for the arrest whilst condemning acts of criminality allegedly committed by members of the service. “We can never allow a situation whereby members involve themselves in criminality. Internal investigations should also follow,” said Lieutenant General Manamela.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE – Continued efforts to bring perpetrators who are in possession of unlicensed firearms to book yielded positive results when members of the Maitland Flying Squad arrested a 43-year-old male in Bellville last night, 02 August 2022 for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The members were busy with stop and search operations when they stopped a vehicle and searched it. A 9mm pistol with ammunition was confiscated. The suspect will appear in the Bellville Magistrates court on Friday, 05 August 2022 on the mentioned charges.

In an unrelated matter a member of Sea Point police was busy with patrols in Fritz Sonnenberg Road, Sea Point when he noticed an unknown male dragging tree branches across the road which became very suspicious to him. The member decided to do investigation and found 70 meters copper cable hidden between the branches. A male (31) was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of presumed stolen property.

The suspect is due to make a court appearance in Cape Town once he has been charged.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – Members of the police were much appreciated after recovering a bakkie that was reportedly stolen previously in Gauteng. The car was retrieved on Monday, 01 August 2022 along Kaapmuiden/Lowscreek Road in Nkomazi.

According to the information Nelspruit Flying Squad members were patrolling on the said road when they noticed a white Ford Ranger as well as a white Toyota GD6 clubcab. The two vehicles were reportedly following each other towards Kaapmuiden direction.

Upon noticing the police, it is said that the suspects abandoned the Toyota bakkie on the roadside and fled the scene in a Ford Ranger bakkie.

Police thereafter checked the abandoned vehicle and discovered that it was the same car that was being sought after being reportedly stolen during the month of July 2022 at Brooklyn (near Pretoria). Police are in pursuit of the suspects and urge anyone with information on their whereabouts to call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can also send information via MySAPSApp. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended the members for their vigilance which resulted in the recovery of the vehicle. “Our members will continue to be alert and with the pace that we are moving in, we will win the battle against crime,” said Lieutenant General Manamela.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – SAPS Algoa Park detectives have opened an inquest following the fatal fall of a 6-year-old boy from a SAPS residential flats in Algoa Park this morning, 3 August 2022.

The circumstances surrounding the death is yet to be established.

The child fell from a bedroom window on the 11th floor.

The investigation is ongoing.

Source: South African Police Service